Plymouth residents who receive disability allowance will no longer have to pay for their carers to visit them on a daily basis, it has been confirmed.

Plymouth City Council has decided to stop charging a £30 annual fee so carers could park in roads where restrictions applied and make it completely free for them to do so instead.

Tory traffic boss Councillor Steven Ricketts, announced the changes at a meeting of civic chiefs.

Explaining his decision to cabinet colleagues he said: “This is something we do as a compassionate council – we reviewed the figures and what we were doing, we looked at the issues and thought that people that need daily support, care and assistance at home shouldn’t be paying a fee for somebody to visit them on a regular basis.

“So we’ve waivered that which I’m happy about and I’m sure you will all support.”

A spokesperson for Plymouth City Council, said: “Any resident who receives attendance allowance or the disability living allowance care component and is in need of essential daily care by relatives or carers can apply for an essential visitor permit.

“Under the new policy there will no longer be a fee for these permits.”

The changes form part of a wider traffic masterplan that's also been adopted - which hopes to ease tension on roads and provide more parking for all.

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The council will now make it more difficult to introduce resident-friendly parking zones in areas where parking options are already available and bringing in the views of big employers like the police and the dockyard about areas where parking is a particular problem.

It's hoped the move will enable more people to park around and visit popular visitor areas including Mutley, the Barbican and Royal William Yard.

Tory traffic boss Steve Ricketts

Cllr Ricketts previously said: "This is all about getting the processes right and making sure there's more of a balanced approach supporting residents and the business community.

"It's a more transparent approach to resident parking zones; a more science based approach.

"We have got to be business-friendly. We're not saying "no" to more parking zones, but it's going to be seen as a last resort.